Devil She Became (Devil's Angels Book 1)

by Autumn Raynne

  “We don’t know.” Harlan answered with his hands up.

  “Maybe he changed his mind.” Rose gave a tiny smile.

  Mike narrowed his eyes at her. “No, he wouldn’t do that. Not a chance. He’s here somewhere.”

  They combed the entire building, but no one could find any trace of Harrison.

  Assembling in the foyer, Mike and Harlan were becoming very upset. “He wouldn’t do this. Something is really wrong. Maybe we should call Reese.”

  Just then, Harrison’s phone rang. It was Reese’s number.

  “Reese? Is Harrison with you?” Mike asked as he answered, panic rising in his voice.

  “This isn’t Reese. It’s her mother. So Reese isn’t with Harrison?” Meg’s voice cracked, and Mike could hear the hysteria in her voice.

  “No. We can’t find Harrison either. I suppose you haven’t seen him.”

  A loud sob escaped Meg’s throat. “No, we haven’t seen either of them. Her phone was here in her room… her dress is still here…”

  Mike struggled to remain calm. “This is so bizarre. What about that guard Harrison posted in front of Reese’s room? Did he see anything?”

  Meg was crying. She handed the phone to Ashley. “Hi, this Ashley.”

  “Ashley, this is Mike. What about the guard? Did he see anything?”

  “No, he was gone for a few minutes, and we were here when he returned. Reese’s dress is still here. She wouldn’t have gone out in the silk chemise she was wearing. What about Harrison? Is his tux still there?”

  “No, he was wearing it when I left him a short time ago. His shoes are still here though. He wouldn’t have left without his shoes. We found his phone with a strange text message, ‘Very soon you will see the error of your ways’ or something like that. No phone number. It’s crazy.”

  Chapter 58

  Her eyelids fluttered open gently, so as not to let too much light flood them at once. As soon as the smallest bit of light hit her eyes, she felt a terribly sharp pain in her head. She tried to reach up to rub her temples but found her hands tied behind her back. Looking down, she saw dried, crusted blood soaking her white silk chemise. Horrified, she recoiled at the sight. Was it her blood? Where was she? Peering around the dimly lit room, she saw bare concrete walls. The floor was bare as well. One single light bulb hung from the ceiling. There were no windows. She opened her mouth to scream but only a tiny squeak emerged from her throat. She saw a diamond-covered shoe on her foot and remembered it was her wedding day. Wedding day! Harrison! Was he ok? Tears began spilling down her cheeks as she pulled hard on the ropes binding her wrists. Sobs escaped her throat and tears soaked her chemise. Who did this to her? Where was her family?

  Rocking in the chair hard, she tried desperately to get someone to hear her. All she heard was the echo of her own efforts. Looking down at her arms, she saw a small red pin prick. A hypodermic needle? Had she been drugged? Who would do that? She had not been gagged, but she couldn't manage to talk. Why? Her chemise was torn, filthy and ragged, but she still wore her bra and panties, as well as one shoe. Where was Harrison?

  ********

  McCallister stood outside in the warm spring air, waiting for the Grantham's wedding procession to begin. Hundreds of people had lined the street to see the horse-drawn carriage carry Chicago's most prominent couple. Unfortunately for the Granthams, McCallister wasn't done with them yet. He had uncovered evidence that may link one or both of them to Darrell Wyndham's murder and Lisa Grantham's suicide. However, he wasn't ready to move on the evidence just yet. A few other pieces of the puzzle needed to come together first. A sharp wind caused him to pull his jacket tightly against his body. Everyone kept looking at their phones and watches. The procession should’ve begun over a half hour ago. Looking down the street for the carriage, McCallister felt that something was very wrong. Where were Reese and Harrison?

  Chapter 59

  Both families gathered at Reese’s dressing suite. Meg was hysterical and pacing anxiously. Ashley dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “Reese adores Harrison and can't wait to marry him. She had been looking forward to this day for months.”

  Mike agreed. “Harrison loves Reese. He wants to marry her more than anything. He wouldn't let us all down like this.”

  Harlan grabbed Harrison’s phone. “I’m going to call the police.” A few moments later, he walked back into the room.

  “Was there anything missing?”

  Meg shook her head. “No. There is nothing missing. Reese wasn't even dressed. Both her phone and Harrison's are here. Their cars are here. Harrison's shoes were still in his room.”

  “What about Reese's?”

  “I guess she was wearing hers.”

  Ashley nodded. “Yes, she was wearing the shoes when I came in to see her.”

  “No jewelry missing? I know Reese was planning to wear my grandmother's diamond earrings... ”

  Mike picked up a black velvet case and peered inside. “No, they are right here.”

  “Did you tell them about the text Harrison got?” Ashley looked at Mike.

  Mike shook his head.

  “What? What text?” Meg became hysterical again, grabbing Mike’s shirt.

  “Just some really odd text saying ‘Very soon you will see the error of your ways’. It was on his phone when we discovered it. No phone number though.”

  “Who would have sent that? What the hell is going on?” Meg began sobbing.

  Everyone was bewildered. Where could they have gone?

  Chapter 60

  Through half-open eyes, Harrison peered at his surroundings. What had happened? Laying on a cold steel table of some sort, he looked down to his wrists and ankles, which were bound with leather cuffs. The small room was windowless with concrete walls. A single light bulb was swinging slightly in the center of the room. A small metal table held a small bottle of discolored water and a black leather pouch. As he rolled his head from side to side, a sharp pain shot through it. Then he remembered the cold steel barrel of a gun pressed to his head prior to arriving there. Had he been shot? He didn't think so, but there was dried blood on his dress shirt. Incredible pain pierced his head. How did he get there? Where was he?

  Pulling at his wrists, he found they were bound quite tightly. His ankles wouldn't move either. He realized was wearing his tuxedo. Then he remembered it was his wedding day. Reese! Where was she? She must be so upset. Tears of frustration began welling up in his eyes.

  “Help me,” he tried to scream, but it only emerged as a whisper. “Help me!”

  Chapter 61

  Feeling cool water trickling over her face, Reese opened her eyes.

  “Here, drink this.” A raspy voice ordered her. Reese opened her mouth and felt the cold water run down her painful throat.

  Letting her head fall back, Reese tried to speak again. “Who are you?”

  A tall figure with a black hood covering the face spoke in a raspy whisper. “Don't worry about it. Just drink the water. You will be fine, Reese, if you cooperate.”

  “You know who I am? Then you know I'm getting married today! Please let me go! My fiancé is very wealthy. He will pay you.”

  The dark-clothed figure remained silent. Fear began rising in her as she tried to get the dark figure to help her. “Please, whatever I have done, I'm sorry. Who are you? Why am I here?”

  “You are here because I put you here.”

  Reese swallowed hard causing great pain in her throat. “My fiancé must be frantic. Please just let me go and I won't tell anyone, I promise. I haven't even seen your face.”

  “He has his own problems.”

  “What? What's that mean? Harrison? Is he here? Did you hurt him? Harrison!” she screamed.

  “Help! Harrison!” she screamed again as loud as she could.

  “If you don't shut up, I will have to gag you, Reese.” The dark figure turned to her.

  “Why should I listen to you? You locked me up in here.” Reese began to cry.

  The dark
figure walked over to her to kneel down in front of her.

  “These ropes are too tight. My arms ache.” Reese pulled on her arms, painfully deep cuts already embedded in them.

  “I'm sorry, Reese, this is the only way.”

  “How long will I be here? And why?”

  “For a time. No more questions.” The dark figure turned to leave the room.

  “No, please don't go! I want to go home! Help me!” The steel door slammed shut on her screams. She could hear a lock slide into place.

  “I'm sorry, Reese, this is the only way.”

  Sobbing, Reese felt helpless. She couldn't move her arms or legs. She was extremely uncomfortable and frightened. Where was Harrison? Was he okay? Who was this person who took her?

  ********

  A huge rush of water pouring over his head woke Harrison up. He sputtered, choking on the water. “What the fuck? Who are you?” Harrison shook the water off his face.

  The dark figure came closer to him. “Drink this.”

  “Why? What the hell is it? Who are you?” Harrison could barely raise his head off the table.

  Suddenly, with a flip of a switch, the table he was laying on began to rise up until he was nearing standing.

  “Drink it,” the raspy, obviously disguised voice ordered him. A straw was forced into his mouth.

  Harrison was parched, so he reluctantly drank the liquid. He quickly discovered that it was water, which felt cooling to his sore throat. “Did you shoot me? Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?”

  The dark figure reached down to pinch his nipple hard through his shirt. “No, I didn't shoot you. But I might if you don't cooperate.”

  Harrison flinched from the pain. “Is it money? I have money. I can pay you. Did you know I was getting married today?”

  “Yes, Harrison, I am aware of who you are. No, I don't want your money.”

  Harrison panicked. Obviously this person knew him. “Where's my fiancé?”

  “Reese is fine, Harrison.” The dark figure leaned over him, peering into his face closely. He could make out the faint outline of a human face, but he couldn't tell if it was male or female.

  “She’s here? Reese! Reese!” He screamed.

  The dark figure smacked him hard on the side of the face with a riding crop. “Shut the fuck up unless you want me to gag you.”

  Stinging from the slap, Harrison winced.

  “What the hell do you want from me if it isn’t money?” Harrison could feel the person’s breath hot on his neck.

  “In due time.” The figure was tall and thin with a dark hood covering the face. No features struck him as being male or female. Frustrated, he pulled hard on the leather cuffs. “Let me go now!” Harrison screamed.

  The figure ignored him and walked out of the room, closing the heavy steel door. Harrison listened intently to see if he heard anyone else. He heard nothing but complete silence. Where was he? Where was Reese? Large droplets of perspiration began pooling on his forehead as he struggled hard to break the cuffs off his wrists. Finally, he let his head fall back on the table. It was no use. He was stuck there. He only prayed for Reese’s safety.

  Chapter 62

  “So no one has seen Mr. Grantham or Ms. Vogel since approximately 12:30 p.m. today?” The young blonde policeman inquired.

  They all shook their heads no.

  “Do you think they are off somewhere together?”

  “No, absolutely not. Reese wasn’t even wearing her gown, and Harrison’s shoes are still in his room. They wouldn’t do this.” Meg cried. She clutched Trisha’s hand tightly.

  “And these are their phones? I didn’t see anything unusual other than the text.”

  Mike spoke up. “Yes. My father and I discovered this weird text on Harrison’s phone right after he went missing.”

  The officer glanced at the message.

  “Very strange. I will take this back to the station and see if we can trace this.”

  The officer then thoroughly searched both Harrison’s and Reese’s dressing suites and found nothing.

  “Okay. Well, let me check with security here and see if we can pull any surveillance footage. Just hang tight. I’m sure they will turn up. They probably had a bit of pre-wedding jitters and are out arguing somewhere.”

  “NO!” Meg screamed. “Not them. They get along great. They are both so happy… Reese… looked beautiful…” Meg crumpled to the ground and Trisha and Harlan assisted her up.

  “What about that text?” Mike asked.

  The officer rubbed his chin. “Don’t know. Could be a prank or something. I will see if we can get to the bottom of it.”

  As the policeman left them, Meg sobbed hysterically and Trisha and Harlan attempted to calm her. Ashley sat on a settee trying to compose herself. Mike paced the floor trying to imagine what could have happened.

  “Should we make an announcement? Several people are inquiring as to what is going on,” Mike asked his father.

  Harlan nodded. “Yes, you and Ashley go make a brief announcement stating that a family emergency has arisen and the wedding will be postponed until further notice. Don’t answer any questions.”

  ********

  A strikingly beautiful, tall woman dressed in a red full-length gown exiting the church caught McCallister’s eye. Her long dark hair streamed behind her as she quickly walked out to a Ferrari Spider. Beautiful girl, beautiful car, he thought. He wondered who she was. Suddenly, hundreds of other people began walking out. McCallister grabbed the shoulder of a young man exiting the church.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” he asked.

  The young man shrugged. “Wedding has been postponed. Family emergency.” McCallister released his arm. How strange, he thought. What could have happened?

  Chapter 63

  “Help! Please help me! Can anyone hear me?” Reese began to lose her voice again from screaming so much. Pulling against her, the ropes on her arms had caused her wrists to begin bleeding profusely. Panicked, she started to feel dizzy from the blood loss. A small furry figure ran across the floor. Ugh. It’s a rat! She tried to pull her feet up as much as she could, but she could barely move them.

  Suddenly, she heard a key in the lock. Oh, thank God, she thought.

  It was the same dark figure who had been in to see her before. It walked up to her and put a bottle of water to her cracked, parched lips. Greedily, she sucked down the water.

  Looking down at her arms, she whispered, “I’m bleeding. Help me.”

  “Stop it, Reese. Quit pulling on the ropes.”

  “Please, let me go. I’m scared and it’s my wedding day. I want to go home. I want to marry my fiancé. Please.” Reese began crying again.

  The dark figure stopped and looked at her. Reese couldn’t tell if it was male or female, but she had a strong feeling the person was a woman.

  “Ava?” she whispered. “Is that you?”

  “Ava? I know no one by that name. Please, Reese, do as I say.” As the dark figure crept closer to her, Reese caught the scent of perfume.

  A woman. It had to be Ava. Oh, my God, she thought. She’s going to kill me. The figure reached out to caress her hair, which was matted and dirty.

  “Such pretty hair…” The figure whispered in the same raspy voice.

  Reese’s tears kept spilling down her face. Mascara ran in muddy streaks down her cheeks. “Please tell me what you want.”

  The figure pulled back and stared down at her.

  “I want–”

  Pulling the riding crop from behind its’ back, the dark figure struck Reese hard in the face with it, leaving a huge mark. Reese cried out from the terrible pain.

  “I’m sorry… I don’t know what I did… I’m so sorry…” Reese screamed.

  The dark figure pulled Reese’s hair back and pulled its’ mask up enough to spit into Reese’s face.

  “You should know. You disgust me.” The dark figure’s whisper rasped in her ear. It turned and left her there bewildered and crying
with blood trickling from the cut on her face. Harrison, she thought. Where are you?

  Chapter 64

  A few hours later, Meg was curled up on the couch in Reese’s dressing suite. Several tranquilizers had left her sitting in a quiet stupor. Ashley, Trisha, and Mike were collapsed on the other couch with drinks in hand. Harlan continued to try and contact his friends in the FBI.

  Abruptly, the door swung open. “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” The young policeman came running in waving something in his hand.

  Everyone jumped up. “What?” Harlan yelled, grabbing him by the shoulders.

  Slipping a flash drive into his laptop, he pulled up what appeared to be the footage from the hotel surveillance cameras. On it, they saw Omar leaving Reese’s suite. Seconds later, two dark figures appeared around the corner and went into Reese’s room. Then the screen went blank. In Harrison’s suite, they saw a lone dark figure slip into his room carrying something. Moments later, another dark figure went into Harrison’s room. Then the screen went blank.

  “Oh, my God, Oh, my God,” Meg whispered. “What does this mean? Who the hell were those people? Could they be the same people who sent the text to Harrison?”

  “We can’t tell much from that footage other than that they were both taken against their will.”

  “Are those men or women?” Mike asked, peering at the still-shot on the screen.

  “We don’t know. It’s hard to tell. Our guys downtown are going to analyze these further and see what we can figure out. Meantime, keep your phones on. This could be a ransom kidnapping.”

  “Ransom?” Meg went pale.

  “Given that Harlan here is worth billions, it’s not so farfetched that someone may be holding them for ransom.”

  Harlan nodded, his face grim. “Then it’s my fault.”

  Mike held his shoulder. “No, dad, it’s not. We don’t know who took them or why.”